As the race for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco heats up, Super Eagles coach Austin Eguavoen has set a clear goal: to secure six points from this month’s double-header against Libya’s Mediterranean Knights in Group D.
Nigeria will host the first game at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday evening. The return leg will take place at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium, 19 kilometers from Benghazi, Libya, on Tuesday night.
“We have to be practical about it. Our best and surest route to the finals is to pick up six points from the matches with Libya and be somewhat guaranteed a place in Morocco even before Matchday 5. We don’t want to be in any anxiety in the run-in for this qualifying campaign,” Eguavoen explained.
Despite the absence of star striker Victor Osimhen, Eguavoen remains confident in his team’s ability. “I believe in the other strikers available to get us the goals that will give us the three points in Uyo and the three points in Libya.”
Currently, Nigeria leads the group with four points from two matches, one point ahead of Benin Republic and two ahead of Rwanda. A double win over Libya would push Nigeria to 10 points, putting them in a strong position to qualify for AFCON 2025.
The Super Eagles squad has been gathering in Uyo. 20 of the 23 invited players are already in training, while defender Bright Osayi-Samuel and forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidera Ejuke joined on Wednesday morning.
Eguavoen emphasized the importance of securing the ticket to AFCON before the final round of games. “There are possibilities and opportunities for us to sail through at the end of these two matches, and we will do our best to take our chances.”
Libya’s team arrived in Nigeria on Tuesday, landing at Port Harcourt International Airport before making their way to Uyo.
Dismisses reports of Boko Haram attack on his convoy
Former chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Mohammed Ndume, yesterday, insisted that the Nigerian military is ill-equipped and lacks the wherewithal to end Boko Haram or banditry.
This came as he dismissed reports circulating on social media that his convoy was ambushed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.
The Senator representing Southern Borno and Gwoza senatorial district spoke at his Maiduguri residence after returning from a condolence visit to families of those recently killed by terrorists in Ngoshe, Kirawa, Ashigashiya, and other communities in Gwoza local government area.
Ndume said, “On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, my humble self and other concerned stakeholders, with a convoy of military escort, were on our way to Ngoshe to condole with families of those who were killed by terrorists before proceeding to Kirawa. On our way, we received a distress call that some Cameroonian soldiers and motorists were ambushed along the Pulka-Kirawa road.
“After condoling with the people of Ngoshe, we took courage and proceeded to Kirawa despite the fact that there was an attack on the road the same day by terrorists. We reached Kirawa successfully, where we also condoled with the families of those killed by terrorists last week. We encouraged residents to be resilient and not to panic over the renewed Boko Haram attacks.”
According to him, the Kirawa road ambush targeted a Cameroonian Bureau De Change/businessman (Alhaji Kadi), who was killed alongside an unidentified woman, while others sustained injuries.
“As Senator representing Southern Borno and Gwoza inclusive, I had planned earlier to go to Ngoshe and Kirawa for condolence. I could only go to Ngoshe because the road to Kirawa was not accessible then. So, when we left yesterday, as I told you, the Theatre Commander and the GOC 7 Division directed the Brigade Commander in Gwoza, who led the escort team personally.
“It has been a long time since I had such a heavy military escort from Maiduguri to Ngoshe. As we were going to Ngoshe, we got to a village called Wizza, where there is a junction to Kirawa. Unfortunately or fortunately, we received information that the Cameroonian soldiers in Kirawa were ambushed by terrorists, but the target was not me, rather the person they killed, including an unidentified woman. Although I was told that there were other passengers who were victims of the ambush, as Tuesday was a market day in Kirawa.
“I strongly suspect that some individuals are colluding with Boko Haram, passing information to the terrorists. However, the Nigerian Army sent a reinforcement team that cleared the entire area, despite the detonated bombs planted by the terrorists damaging two military patrol vehicles. We took courage and visited Kirawa immediately after the attack to encourage our people to stand up against Boko Haram. I also took advantage of my visit to lay the foundation for two blocks of classrooms in Kirawa, and I am now back in Maiduguri safe and sound.
“Regarding the renewed Boko Haram killings, especially targeting farmers while harvesting their crops, I was reliably informed by the Village Heads of the affected Gwoza communities that almost half of the crops produced by resilient farmers in Ngoshe, Kirawa, Ashigashiya, and other surrounding communities around the Mandara Mountains were looted by terrorists, leaving local farmers frustrated and hungry.
“On a serious note, our military forces and the State Government under the leadership of Governor Babagana Zulum are doing well in tackling issues related to Boko Haram killings, but both have limitations. For instance, the federal government should equip our military forces, and arm and motivate them. I also spoke with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and he assured me that they will reinforce additional forces in Gwoza to enable farmers to harvest their hard-earned crops.
“The military is determined and committed to ending Boko Haram’s madness, but this cannot be possible if they are not fully equipped, armed, trained, and motivated.”
A Turkish Airlines pilot died after collapsing mid-flight, forcing the Turkish national carrier to make an emergency landing in New York, the airline said, yesterday.
The plane had taken off from the western US coastal city of Seattle on Tuesday evening, airline spokesman Yahya Ustun wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
He wrote: “The pilot of our Airbus 350 flight TK204 from Seattle to Istanbul collapsed during the flight.
After an unsuccessful attempt to give first aid, the flight crew and a co-pilot decided to make an emergency landing but he died before landing.”
According to the airline management, the 59-year-old pilot, who has worked for Turkish Airlines since 2007, passed a medical examination in March, which gave no indication of any health problems.
A 68-year-old woman, Mrs Esther Adeola, and her four grandchildren, have died mysteriously after they reportedly consumed pap.
Vanguard learnt that the ugly incident occured at Atayese Street, Gaga area in Akure, the state capital.
Reports had it that Adeola was a retired Admin officer of the Federal Government Girls College, Akure.
A family source told newsmen that “The elderly woman who was their paternal grandmother died suddenly and the family members took her to the mortuary.
“We were not suspicious of anyone or anything as the cause of her death as she was advanced in age. We believed her passing away was natural.
“After her death, my sister and her husband had gone along with their children to the deceased’s house to tidy up her belongings and they saw some processed dried pap in the kitchen which the younger ones craved to have while their parents declined.
“Their mother who is my sister made the pap and gave it to her children and their cousin who came along with them.
“My nephews and niece were ages seven, five and three while their cousin was 10.
“As the children took the pap, they all began to writhe in pain and the parents who were alarmed at the sudden and strange development rushed the children to the state Specialist Hospital, Akure.
“It was at this juncture that we began to suspect that probably the pap must have been poisoned or contaminated and could be the cause of their grandmother’s death.
“The four children spent three days in the hospital before they died. They would have made it if they were promptly attended to by the medical personnel.”
The source said that the children have been buried.
She said that the family did not report the case to the police because they did not suspect anyone.
The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has decried the recent increase in petrol prices, describing it as “ill-timed and insensitive” to Nigeria’s prevailing economic challenges.
Muda Yusuf, chief executive officer (CEO) of CPPE, spoke in a statement on Wednesday.
Earlier today, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limitedincreased the price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, across its retail outlets.
TheCable observed that the price of the product increased to N998 per litre in Lagos on Wednesday — up from N855/litre.
Speaking on the development, Yusuf said the federal government should consider social, economic, and political factors in policy decisions, rather than solely focusing on commercial interests.
The CPPE CEO said the price increase is regrettably ill-timed and does not reckon with the prevailing difficult economic conditions.
“It is important to stress that Social, economic and political considerations matter in policy choices. Commercial considerations should not completely override these considerations,” he said.
“The Nigerian economy is not ripe for full-blown deregulation and market principles on all fronts.
“The social cost of such policy choices is typically very high. This is an economy with very weak social safety nets. Over one hundred million people are wallowing in various variants of poverty.”
Yusuf said the country is also faced with the challenge of “policy sequencing”.
He said it would have been better for the government to implement the economic stabilisation bill before introducing the petrol hike.
“The present administration has presented an Economic Stabilisation Bill to the national assembly,” he said.
“The Bill is expected to bring some relief to the citizens and businesses. It would have been better to allow the proposed mitigating measures to be activated and gain traction before coming up with the petrol price hike.
“What the economy needs at this time are measures to ease the current economic and social challenges; not policies that would aggravate them.”
‘FG SHOULD URGENTLY CUT IMPORT DUTIES, PEG EXCHANGE RATE’
Yusuf also said it is now important for the government to urgently cut import duties and taxes by a minimum of 25 percent on all industrial raw materials.
He added that the customs duty exchange rate should be fixed at a maximum of N1000 per dollar to reduce the current prohibitive cost of imports.
“Relevant legislation should be amended to that effect. This is without prejudice to the fiscal policy measures contained in the Economic Stabilisation Plan,” Yusuf said.
“The government must be ready to trade off some revenue in the current situation.”
“There is a need to seek to achieve the maximisation of welfare function for citizens and productivity function for businesses.”
Yusuf also stressed that the government should not be fixated on revenue maximisation.
Multiple award-winning artiste David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has marked the first birthday of his twin children with his wife, Chioma.
Davido shared the news in a post on X.com on Wednesday, writing, “+1 Alhamdulillah,” accompanied by two baby emojis.
His post has since gathered thousands of congratulatory messages from fans and well-wishers.
Recall that in October 2023, Davido confirmed the arrival of the twins—a boy and a girl—with Chioma in the United States.
He stated that he and his wife were in shock when they discovered they were expecting twins.
A viral video subsequently emerged showing Chioma sitting in a wheelchair and cradling the two babies, with Davido beaming with joy beside her.
A team of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawyers and forensic experts were, on Wednesday, attacked and assaulted at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo State by thugs suspected to be members of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
The thugs are alleged to be operating in connivance with officials of INEC and operatives of the Nigerian Police Force who were seen providing security for the APC thugs and members.
The team of PDP lawyers and forensic experts are at the INEC Office to inspect the BVAS machine, voters register, ballot papers, and other election materials used by the electoral body for the September 21 gubernatorial election to flesh up the party’s petition against the alleged rigging of the governorship poll.
The inspection of election materials is one of the prerequisites in challenging any electoral result in Nigeria. The PDP and its lawyers were, however, prevented by INEC from inspecting the materials since Monday, despite presenting a court order.
The electoral body however bowed to pressure on Tuesday evening, announcing today, Wednesday, October 9, 2024 as the date for all parties to come for the inspection exercise.
The PDP who visited the INEC Office on Wednesday to carry out their duties met an already charged atmosphere with thugs linked to the APC intimidating and physically assaulting them, while security personnel, including officers from the Nigerian Police Force, failed to intervene.
Many sustained various degrees of injuries with their phones and other gadgets destroyed, while others scampered for safety.
Speaking to journalists, a forensic expert who spoke on the condition of anonymity said, “We are here to do our job following the directive of INEC for us to come for inspection of the materials used for the elections. However, when we got here, we met a huge crowd of thugs mobilized by the APC.
“They have been attacking, assaulting and harassing us. Some of the thugs got my phone and laptop and smashed it on the floor and many other of my colleagues were also injured in the process. Worst still, the police who are supposed to restore sanity and guarantee security just stood by watching while they unleashed havoc on innocent people who were going about their lawful businesses.”
The trial of the immediate-past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria continued on Wednesday with a former CBN Deputy Governor, Edward Adamu, testifying as the fourth witness.
Emefiele is being prosecuted by the Federal Government over the chaotic naira redesign policy of the CBN under his watch in late 2022.
The ex-CBN helmsman faces four counts before Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama in Abuja.
Appearing as the fourth prosecution witness on Wednesday, Adamu told the court that Emefiele breached the laid down procedure in the naira design exercise of 2022.
Adamu, led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Rotimi Oyedepo, (SAN), told the court that during his time as a CBN staff, he witnessed previous redesigns of the naira, carried out with the aim of addressing issues of volume of currency in circulation, inflation, counterfeiting and general currency management, among others.
He, however, claimed that the 2022 naira redesign exercise carried out by Emefiele during ex-President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was without the approval of either the President or the CBN Board, contrary to the law.
Adamu explained that the standard procedure for a naira redesign originates from the Director of Currency Operations and is passed on to the Committee of Governors, who then forward it to the CBN Board for approval before it reaches the President.
He alleged that Emefiele bypassed this process.
Instead, Adamu testified that Emefiele convened a meeting of the Committee of Governors, where he presented a purported presidential approval for the redesign and proceeded with implementation.
He further noted that, upon reviewing Exhibit E2, which was admitted as evidence, the design of the naira notes currently in circulation differed slightly from what was approved by both President Buhari and the CBN Board.
He asserted that these changes were made unilaterally by Emefiele.
During cross-examination, the defense counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), asked Adamu if, prior to the recent naira redesign, it was customary for a board recommendation to precede presidential approval. Adamu confirmed that it was.
Ojo then asked if there had ever been a practice where the President gave approval before the board was informed. Adamu responded that such a practice was not the norm during his tenure.
The defence counsel further questioned Adamu on whether he was aware of instances where the President approved the release of funds to ECOWAS, the military, or other countries without prior consultation with the CBN Board or Committee of Governors. Adamu admitted to being aware of one such instance.
Ojo also inquired if Adamu knew of any consequences for not adhering to procedures outlined in the CBN Act. Adamu stated that he could not recall.
Referring to an earlier statement made to the EFCC on February 24, 2024, Ojo asked Adamu if he recalled saying that the minutes of CBN Meeting 764 were adopted. Adamu responded that he could not remember.
The defence counsel argued that the witness’s account in court was inconsistent compared to his statement to the EFCC.
The prosecution counsel objected, arguing that the witness’s testimony and prior statement were not yet in evidence before the court.
The judge subsequently allowed the witness to refresh his memory by reviewing his statement, which he did.
The defence counsel then asked Adamu if he was privy to any discussions between the former CBN governor and the President regarding the specifics of the redesign. Adamu responded in the negative.
Justice Anenih adjourned the case till November 18 for the continuation of the trial.
The Nigerian Army has detained M.A. Sadiq, former commander of the 3 Brigade in Kano, over allegations of theft and mismanagement of palliatives.
Sadiq allegedly diverted rice palliatives from the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) intended for soldiers under his command.
He is also accused of stealing official military equipment, including a MIKANO heavy-duty generator from the Military Training Camp in Falgore, Kano state, which was allegedly sold to scrap metal dealers.
He has since been relieved of his duties and replaced by A.M. Tukur, the former registrar of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
Onyema Nwachukwu, director of army public relations, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday.
Nwachukwu added that investigations into the allegations are ongoing, and appropriate administrative actions will be taken based on the findings.
“The Nigerian Army has been inundated with media reports concerning the former Commander of the 3 Brigade, Brigadier General M.A. Sadiq, who is currently under military investigation for administrative discrepancies during his tenure,” he said.
“As a result, the senior officer has been relieved of his command to allow for a comprehensive investigation.
“The Nigerian Army, as a self-regulating institution built on discipline, justice, and accountability, has zero tolerance for indiscipline and misconduct that undermine its core values.
“We assure the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted, and appropriate actions will follow.
“Our commitment to transparency and integrity remains steadfast, and we guarantee a fair and impartial process that adheres to our established procedures.”
The Senate, on Wednesday, expressed alignment with the Supreme Court judgment of July 11, 2024, which granted financial autonomy to the 774 Local Government Areas across the country.
It faulted moves by some governors to enact laws to mandate the local government councils in their states to remit allocations into a joint account.
The Anambra State House of Assembly passed the Local Government Administration Bill 2024 on Tuesday, amid condemnation from civil society groups and opposition parties, including Labour Party lawmakers in the assembly.
They alleged that the bill was an attempt by Governor Chukwuma Soludo to arm-twist the council chairmen into paying their federal allocation back to the state.
Reports indicate that some other state houses of assembly have also enacted bills regarding local government administration.
On Wednesday at the plenary, the Red Chamber urged all three tiers of government to fully comply with the judgment and resolved to collaborate with the House of Representatives to amend certain provisions of the 1999 Constitution to ensure full implementation.
The resolutions followed motions sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, and seconded by Abdul Ningi and Tahir Monguno.
Barau said, “I stand to move on behalf of this Senate for the approval of two prayers in respect of the motion that was brought by Tony Nwoye (Anambra North), thereby discarding the earlier prayers in the motion as sponsored by the mover.
“The two prayers are as follows: all states and local governments must fully comply with the recent Supreme Court judgment on the disbursement of and utilisation of funds accruing to all local governments in Nigeria.
“That the Senate ensures alterations to the relevant provisions of the constitution to provide for the full autonomy of the local governments in Nigeria.”
However, the resolutions came two hours after it faced challenges regarding the enforceability of the Supreme Court judgment at the state and local government levels.
At the commencement of the plenary, Nwoye (LP, Anambra North) invoked Senate Standing Orders 41 and 51 to raise a motion about alleged moves by some state governments to circumvent the judgment by passing counter-laws through their respective Houses of Assembly.
Nwoye, who informed the Senate that nine other senators co-sponsored the motion, specifically alleged that some governors were enacting laws to mandate local government councils in their states to remit funds into the State/Local Government Joint Account, which had been ruled against by the Supreme Court.
After Nwoye’s presentation, which included six prayers for enforcing the judgment and was seconded by Osita Izunaso (APC, Imo West), Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi Central) raised a constitutional point of order to stop the debate on the motion.
Citing Section 287 of the 1999 Constitution, which makes Supreme Court judgments enforceable nationwide, Aliero urged the Senate not to “over-flog” the issue.
He said, “The Supreme Court judgement is enforceable across the country. There is no need for us to debate anything that has to do with it here.”
In agreement with Aliero, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, highlighted Section 162, Subsection 6 of the 1999 Constitution, which created the State/Local Government Joint Account.
He noted that the provision must be amended to allow for the full implementation of the Supreme Court judgment.
Before a final decision could be made on the motion, Nwoye invoked Order 42 of the Senate Standing Rules for a personal explanation.
Abdulrahman Kawu Summaila (NNPP, Kano South) raised a similar point of order.
The simultaneous motions led to confusion, prompting many senators to consult with the Senate President, resulting in an emergency closed-door session at 12:46 pm.
The emergency session, which lasted nearly two hours, adopted the two separate motions moved by the Deputy President of the Senate.
Anambra LP lawmakers fault LG administration bill
Faulting the passage of the LG Administration Bill in Anambra, the opposition groups said going by the extant order of the Supreme Court, the Assembly could not make laws seeking to compel the LGs to pay their federal allocations to the state government under whatever guise.
Lawmakers, who spoke during the session, said the bill would empower local governments to function effectively, insisting that there was no way to separate LGs from the states.
While passing the bill, the Speaker, Somtochukwu Udeze, said, “It seeks to clearly define the powers of the chairmen and councillors at the local government level as they relate to the council areas.
“Some of the contents of the law, such as primary school teachers, primary healthcare centre, Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, Local Government Service Commission, and Pension Board, among others, are areas where the state and local governments interface to ensure proper administration at the local government level.”
But members of the LP in the assembly, comprising Jude Umennajiego, Paul Obu, Nkechi Ogbuefi, Patrick Okafor, Fredrick Ezenwa, Kingsley Udemezue, Henry Mbachu and Justice Azuka, in a briefing on Wednesday, said going by the extant order of the Supreme Court, the assembly could not make laws seeking to compel the local governments to remit allocations to the state under whatever guise.
“Recently, Anambra State Local Government Administration Bill was brought to the Assembly.
“Some sections of the bill, particularly sections 13, 14 and 16 seek to compel the Local Governments to pay their federal allocation into an account to be established by the state government, thereby running foul of the Supreme Court judgment.
“Consequently, we as the Labour Party caucus in the state House of Assembly wish to state as follows: That we stand by the decision of the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, on the autonomy of the Local Government and the management of their funds.
“That going by the extant order of the Supreme Court, the state House of Assembly cannot make laws seeking to compel the local governments to pay in their federal allocation to the state government under whatever guise.
“We, therefore, stand with the overwhelming majority of Anambra people in upholding the constitution and the Supreme Court decision.”
Reacting, the Executive Director of Civil Rights and Liberty Organisation, Dr Ralph Uche, described the bill as “anti-people” aimed at denying the Local Government the funds meant for grassroots development.
Uche, a lawyer, said, “The bill seeks to compel local government areas to remit a portion of their federal allocations into a consolidated account controlled by the state, which is a wrong development, considering that the local government areas have suffered lack of dividends of democracy in the last 10 years.”
The spokesman to the Speaker of the Anambra Assembly, Emma Madu, confirmed that the assembly passed the bill on Tuesday, with 26 lawmakers in attendance.
Section 13(1) of the bill stipulates that the state shall maintain a “State Joint Local Government Account,” into which all federal allocations to LGAs must be deposited.
Section 14(3) further mandates that each LGA must, within two working days of receiving their allocations from the Federation Account, remit a state-determined percentage to the consolidated account. This requirement applies even if the allocations are received directly from the Federation Account.
Section 14(4) outlines that if the state receives the LGA allocation on their behalf, it must deduct the specified percentage before disbursing the remaining funds to the LGA.
Oyo awaiting committee recommendations
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, said the state still awaits the recommendations of the two committees set up to review the July 11 Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to Local Government.
The governor, on July 15, set up two committees, technical and legal, with a mandate to review the judgment and come up with recommendations, within six weeks.
Makinde had said the decision to form the committees was because the judgment created a constitutional lacuna that could throw up challenges and problems to the effective running of local government administration.
Though the six weeks had expired, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, speaking with The PUNCH, on Wednesday, said the committee was still meeting and yet to turn in its recommendations.
He said the next move of the state government concerning the judgment would be informed by the recommendations of the committee.
Aside from expecting the recommendation of the state’s committees, Olanrewaju said it was also curious that the Federal Government was yet to come up with a template for implementation of the judgment in states.
He argued that the Federal Government also identified the challenges in the implementation of the judgment, which informed its decision to set up a committee headed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The FG committee was also yet to turn in its recommendations.
He absolved Makinde of being keen on frustrating the judgment, adding, however, that the governor desired to resolve the identified lacuna that could create problems for people at the grassroots.
“Our committees are still working, they have not turned in their recommendations.
“Even the Federal Government which said it would give a template has not come up with a template. The Federal Government said we should give them three months and that time has not lapsed.
“So, we are still waiting to see what they are going to recommend before we know what we are going to do.
“But our committees are still working, still meeting and have not come up with our recommendations. Whatever the committees recommend is going to inform the next step that the state government will take.
“It is a fallacy to say that the governor is fighting tooth and nail to subvert the Supreme Court judgment.
“What the governor said from the outset is that the judgment created a constitutional lacuna. It is because of the lacuna that he set up committees,” he said.
Olanrewaju added, “We have this judgment and if we don’t attend to this lacuna, it will create problems for us at the grassroots level. How do we now, given our peculiar situation, manage this judgment without subjecting our people to hardship? That was the whole essence of setting up the committees.
“So, this issue of colluding, trying to frustrate, no. How can he frustrate the judgment? Is he the President? But what the whole nation has come to realise is that ab initio, the governor was right.
“If there was no lacuna, why has the judgment not been effected by those who got the judgment? So, it is not about Seyi Makinde; it is about the gaps in the judgment.
“The Federal Government set up a committee headed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to look into it and work towards the implementation of the judgment. We are still waiting for the recommendations of the committee.
”Leave out Makinde concerning the issue of trying to frustrate the judgment. Those who got the judgment should implement their judgment.”
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The University of Calabar (UniCal) has suspended one of its lecturers, Joseph Akpan, for allegedly altering examination result scripts using his privileged position as Head of Department (HOD) of Pharmacology.
The institution’s Vice-Chancellor (V-C), Prof. Florence Obi, disclosed on Wednesday in Calabar that Akpa allegedly altered students’ scores in the Introduction to General Antimicrobial Pharmacology (PHM 311) course results.
Florence claimed the HOD altered the scores in 235 result scripts out of the 242 result scripts entrusted in his care, adding that only five scripts were genuinely marked without alteration.
The V-C also noted that Akpan had admitted to the alleged misconduct before the Senate Examination Misconduct Committee (SEMC).
According to her, the lecturer allegedly admitted that he inflated the scores of students in PHM 311 to protect the department’s image, which management finds ridiculous and unacceptable.
She added, “The lecturer also (allegedly) gave out marks to two students, who did not participate in the examinations.
“Consequently, the management of the University has directed that he should be relieved of his appointment as HOD and Coordinator of PHM 311, as well as suspended from duty with effect from Oct. 8, 2024.
“Akpan’s official responsibilities are to be reassigned to other qualified lecturers in the department.
“He has also been directed to stay away from the university forthwith unless while responding to the invitation of relevant committees.”
A prominent member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Buba Galadima, has refuted the claims that the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, would not mind to serve as a running mate to the former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Galadima, who is a political associate of Kwankwaso, provided this clarification in response to reports stemming from a recent interview with the former NNPP presidential candidate.
Galadima expressed disappointment that certain media outlets misinterpreted Kwankwaso’s stance regarding the potential of becoming Obi’s running mate, noting that Kwankwaso has neither considered nor will consider this option for the 2027 presidential election.
He emphasized that the NNPP presidential candidate is fully prepared to assume the presidency in 2027, asserting that Kwankwaso possesses both the political acumen and intellectual capability necessary to address Nigeria’s challenges if elected.
Galadima highlighted that during the interview, Kwankwaso outlined his political and intellectual credentials, which he believes provide him with a significant advantage over politicians such as Obi.
He further suggested that Peter Obi should contemplate joining the Kwankwasiyya Movement to aid in liberating Nigeria from the burdens of ineffective leadership.
“The NNPP presidential flagbearer is far ahead of the former Anambra state Governor in everything. So, saying that Kwankwaso will serve as Obi’s running mate in next three years is like relegating him to the background as such speculation does not hold water.
“To those that have listened and clearly understood the interview, what Senator Kwankwaso said was like humiliating Peter Obi not the opposite,” Galadima told PM News.
A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairmanship aspirant, Conrad Utaan, has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) might win the 2027 election.
He warned that this would be the case if the ongoing issues within the PDP continues.
Utaan stated this while addressing newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday.
He lamented that internal crisis has rendered all key figures in the PDP ineffective.
Naija News reports that the PDP has been grappling with internal disputes since the buildup to the 2023 presidential election, which contributed to the party’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, losing to the incumbent President Bola Tinubu of the APC.
Speaking on the situation, Utaan said, “Look, there’s so much confusion in our party, the PDP. The APC, as much as we hate to admit it, may just stroll into another term by 2027 if the PDP continues this way with this crisis.
“The big names in the PDP have become dormant because of the issues we have found ourselves in within the party. That is the reason why we are advocating for North Central to complete its term as PDP National Chairman to resolve all issues.
“By the way, this term ends in November 2025. I am not running to be chairman for four years. I am running to complete the term of the North Central, the term of Benue, the term of Benue North West Central District, even if it’s for two days. It belongs to the North Central. It belongs to Benue. It belongs to Zone B of Benue. It’s ours, even if it’s for two days.”
Utaan, who described it as a shame that the PDP has been mired in an internal crisis for so long, emphasised the urgent need for the North Central to propose a replacement for Damagum to be approved at the National Executive Committee meeting on October 24.
“What came to us in the North Central was the national chairman of the PDP, and then all of a sudden, we discovered that Damagum was becoming more or less a substantive chairman. And then nobody was saying anything, you know, so again, I took it upon myself to give it a challenge.
“And our case should not be an exception. The Chairman of the PDP is for the North Central Zone. If the party, or the National Executive Committee of the party, decides that Damagum should be a substantive chairman, they should come out and inform the North Central. If not, the North Central must bring a replacement; the North East cannot have both the Deputy National Chairman and the National Chairman at the same time when we in North Central are left with nothing,” he said.
He stressed that the PDP urgently needs peace and genuine reconciliation, stating that he is not too proud to ask all stakeholders for help in achieving this.
Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has expressed frustration over the perceived complacency of Nigerians in the face of ongoing economic challenges.
In an interview with Igbere TV, Amaechi criticized the lack of proactive responses from the populace, particularly the youth, regarding the rising cost of living.
Amaechi, who previously served as the governor of Rivers State, noted that he anticipated a surge of protests from young people demanding action against the deteriorating economic conditions.
He said, “People should be angry because you cannot see a group of people stealing your money without doing anything. I am really angry with the citizens because they are not doing anything.
“Look at what happened in Edo State, should any politician be campaigning in Edo State? See, some of us cannot afford to buy diesel again because it’s costly.”
Naija News understands that Amaechi’s call comes hours after the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) announced that it had increased the ex-depot prices for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), better known as fuel for marketers.
NNPCL Retail Limited communicated this change through a price list, indicating that the ex-depot price in Calabar is now set at ₦1,050 per litre.
According to the National Oil Company, the ex-depot price in Lagos is ₦1,010 per litre, while in Port Harcourt, it stands at ₦1,045. Additionally, the prices in Ogara, Koko, and Warri are all set at ₦1,040 per litre.